President Muhammadu Buhari told newsmen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday that he had transmitted a letter to the National Assembly intimating the legislature of his 10 days vacation which began on Monday.
The president will in the course of the vacation have his ear checked by an ENT specialist because of what has been described as a recurring infection.
With the letter to the National Assembly, VP Osinbajo is expected to act as President while Buhari is away.
The Federal Government has explained the rationale behind the omission of names of looters in the list of sums of monies and assets recovered in the first year of the Buhari administration.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo gave the explanation on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja during a meeting with a delegation of the European Union led by the EU Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Michel Arrion.
"We have released the list of recovered loot, we know people are are asking for the names, but releasing the names may jeopardize ongoing investigations," he said.
Recall that the Federal Government had on Saturday announced the recovery of N78, 325,354,631.82; $185,119,584.61; £3,508,355.46 and €11, 250 from treasury looters but failed to name the looters as earlier promised by President Buhari.
Following its announcement on Saturday that it has recovered N78, 325,354,631.82; $185,119,584.61; £3,508,355.46 and €11, 250 from treasury looters, the Federal Government has disclosed that it has set up a dedicated account for recovered loot.
The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, disclosed this on Sunday during a chat with The Punch.
“An account has been set up for it and at an appropriate time, what is going to be done with the money will be made public. The amount that is available in that account will be announced and what will be done with the money will be publicly announced,” he said
On the failure of the government to name looters, Sagay said that the reason is more political than legal.
He argued that naming looters who have returned money may discourage those who are still considering returning theirs.
He also said that government might not want to embarrass some honorable Nigerians who received looted funds unknowingly and have returned them.
“The way I see it, it is more political than legal. It is not party politics but about conduct. I believe the government feels that if you name names, those who are about to come out and also bring out whatever has been looted, would withdraw.
“On the legal side, I don’t see the problem that is being talked about because once a person is going to be charged to court for corruption or illegally acquiring resources, there is no liability in announcing it.
“After all, we have been seeing the names of all those accused and charged. So, the main reason is to encourage others, who are still hiding their loot and speculating what to do, to come out and hand over the loot so that the country can recover more of what has been stolen.
“There are some people who actually received those assets and money without knowing that it was stolen or whose knowledge of the source would be very difficult to establish.
“So, if you are in a situation, where you thought your political party had raised money legitimately and you were given an amount for the purpose of campaign, then you may have a strong case against any criminal charge like the newspapers, who have received money, but you may be willing to return the money having found out that it was illegitimately acquired,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has indicated that the recovered loot will be spent on infrastructure.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adeshina disclosed this on Sunday while fielding questions from newsmen.
“The President said sometime ago in Kaduna that recovered money would be spent on the development of infrastructure. The infrastructure includes roads and railways among others.
“Nigerians can be assured that the money would be spent transparently and judiciously. They have nothing to fear.
“These funds would be spent to better the lives of Nigerians; this is what this government is committed to.”
Nigeria will continue consultations within the country's manufacturing sector before taking a stance on the Economic Partnership Agreement, EPA, between ECOWAS and the European Union,
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, made this known at the just concluded Dakar meeting of heads of West African countries.
"There are ongoing negotiations on it. We are discussing with the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN) and some other key economic players about it.
"We understand some of the terms of this agreement are capable of restricting the manufacturers-trading activities and we would not want this to happen.
"it is equally important that as we make the decision, we take into consideration the concerns of these critical stakeholders and tread cautiously."
President Muhammadu Buhari is to proceed on a 10 day vacation on Monday 6 June 2016.
A statement issued by Presidential spokesman, Mr Femi Adeshina said that Buhari will use the period of rest to see an ENT specialist over a persistent ear infection.
See the full statement below.
Aso Rock Villa
05 June 2016 | STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT BUHARI PROCEEDS ON 10-DAY VACATION
President Muhammadu Buhari will take 10 days off and travel to London on Monday June 6th, to rest.
During the holiday, he will see an E.N.T. specialist for a persistent ear infection.
The President was examined by his Personal Physician and an E.N.T Specialist in Abuja and was treated.
Both Nigerian doctors recommended further evaluation purely as a precaution.
FEMI ADESINA
Special Adviser
(Media and Publicity)
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